Automatic back twist tool for wire lines



IN VEN TOR ks v E,

A TTORNEY E. A. KLIEWER AUTOMATIC BACK TWIST TOOL FOR WIRE LINES Aug. 11,1931.

Filed Sept. 25. 1929 Patented Aug. 11, 1931 EDWARD A. KLIEV/ER, OF RANGER, TEXAS AUTOMATIC BACK TYVIST TOOL FOR WIRE LINES Application filed September 23, 1929. Serial No. 394,435.

This invention relates to well drilling tools and equipment and particularly to cable drilling and it has for its principal object to provide a device, wholly automatic in its operation designed to replace in a drilling cable the required number of turns which have been taken out during the process of drilling by the twisting of the drilling tools. Another object of the invention resides in a device of the character specified affording a means of safety for drillers and attendants who are frequently injured by violent whipping of the cable occasioned by releas- 7 ing the drilling clamps when pulling out 5 tools.

Vith the foregoing objects as paramount, the invention has particular reference to other objects and advantages as well as its salient features of construction, arrangement of parts and performance, all of which will become manifest'as the description proceeds,

taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein;

'Figure 1 is a perspective view of an im- V 5 proved tool constructed according to the present invention. I V

Figure 2 is a similar view, showing the invention operat-ively secured in position. Fgure 3 is a fragmentary view in perspec- 0 tive, showing the operative face of one of the cable engaging slips."

Figure 4 is a sectional view ofone of the arms taken axially through the slip, showing Y the securing means for the latter, and

Figure 5 is a modified form of slip, illustrating a. non-frictional bearing surface.

In the cable drilling art, as is generally known to those familiar therewith, operators are exposed to the hazards of entanglement in the lines, resulting in bodily injury or possible death by the whipping action of the cable, and conditions are rendered otherwise difficult to handle since there are no tools by which to remedy the situation otherthan cerhi5 tain types of clamps which are fixed to the cable and turned by two or more men. These clamps are not wholly practical in themselves in that they are manually operated by v the provision of arms which are passed from '50 one man to another in replacing the turns in the cable. Should one man release his grip on one of the arms, the torque in the cable causes the latter to twist violently, probably striking the operators and inflicting serious in uries.

Accordingly, the present invention comprehends the provision of a tool, manually set but automatic in its function in replacing the turns in the cable preparatory to drilling. It is so designed, that it may replace the standard number of turns in the line by moving the line therethrough a predetermined extent.

The present invention therefore, is comprised primarily of two arms 1, hingedly connected at one end by a threaded pin 2, forming an integral part of an upright post 3, by which the device is held relative to the stand pipe 4t of the well into which the cable 5 passes to operatively suspend the tools in the well. It is not considered necessary to illustrate any of the conventional tools or other equipment of the well, since these are all well known and their relationship with the present invention will be well understood by those familiar with the art. Intermediate the ends of the arms 1, which by the way'are arranged to be operatively locked in parallel relationship by a swing bolt 6, entering the bifurcated end of one of the arms, is an enlargement 7, defining a recessed block adapted to receive a slip 8 of babbitt or other similar material, and which slip has a grooved surface, as shown, each'groove corresponding with each strand of the cable.

It is obviously the intent of the invention that the slips 8 be interchangeable, so that a set of slips may be applied to conform to the lay of the line as the latter is passed therethrough. It is understood that standard wire lines are usually left lay. In providing fgr such interchangeability of the slips 8, a portion of the block 7 is interiorly countersunk at a, as apparent in Figures 4: and 5 to receive a boss 6 on the slip, which boss is interiorly threaded to receive a bolt 9, provided for securing the slip in posit-ion.

It is apparent that the greatest strain uponthe slip 8 is downward and to prevent suchfstrain from displacing the slip, the latter is provided with an integral flange 10 overreaching the upper face of the block 7.

Vhen the two sections of the block 7 are brought operatively together, the grooves in the slips 8 register to form continuations of the grooves throughout the depth of the opening thereby formed, so that the cable 5 may, without binding, pass freely through, yet causing the cable to be twisted or turned, the extent being determined by a suitable marker on the slip, which. will be later referred to. I

Vhile the principal figures in the drawingsshow the slips 8 as having frictional bearing surfaces preferably, it is not in tended that the invention be limited thereto, as apparent in Figure 5, a modification. In this figure, the grooves are formed in the slip as usual, but are recessed to receive balls 11 at spaced intervals and which latter are held by a conformable plate 12, having openings to allow a small part of the balls to protrude, to be engaged by the line 5 as the latter is passed therethrough, to eliminate as much frictional wear as possible. This plate is fixed by set screws 13. Other modifications may be made also, such for instance as rollers, which are full equivalents of the balls shown in Figure 5.

In operation, it is customary iirstandard drilling to mark the depth of the hole in various ways, such for instance as applying a. little white paint to the cable 5 at a point near the top of the pipe 4., or by tying a piece of cord about the line. \Vhen this is done, the drilling clamps are released and the cable is wound upon the conventional drilling drum, over the crown block, bringing the tools from the well.

The inventionhowever, is applied only when running in. The driller observes the depth marker as it descends, and through experience, knows the number of'turns per foot the line should have and accordingly stops the descent of the tools when the marker reaches a point at a certain number of feet above the pipe at. Assuming that the cable has two turns to the foot and it is desired to put in twenty four turns. The depth marker is stopped at a point approxiniately twelve feet above the pipe 4, whereupon the arms 1 of the invention are brought together and locked by throwing the bolt 6 into locking position, receiving the line 5 between the slips 8, which are correspondingly grooved, as aforesaid. Descent of. the tools is continued, their weight drawing the cable throu h the slips until the required number of tnrns are replaced in the line, and the tools rest upon the bottom of the hole. The invention is not removed until the drilling clamps have been replaced preparatory to drilling, whereupon the bolt 6 is released,

allowing the arms 1 to bemoved, to free the line from the slips. Drilling may then be resumed. i

A chain 14 is provided to constrain the invention against rotation while the line is being run in accordance with the manner above explained.

The improved de'ice is described and shown in the drawings as being secured to the floor of the derrick. It will be understood that this is notiintended as alimitation, as it is obvious that equally effective results an be obtained by affixing the device to the drilling clamps or at any location which will be convenient to carry out the purpose for. which it is intended. 1:

Though the invention has been explained with great particularity, tl e details of the en'ibodiment of the invention herein shown are not to be construed as being limited thereto, as changes in arrangement and substitution of equivalents may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

IVhat is claimed is:

1. In a back twist tool for cables, a rigid vertical post, substantially horizontally dispesed arms having openings therethrough to receive the upper end of the post whereby said arms are pivoted on the post, complementary blocks carried by said arms said blocks having cable engaging spiral grooves of uniform pitch formed to conform with the lay of the preformed cable to impart twisting motion to a cable forced therethrough, means to lock the arms in operative position and means connected to the opposite ends of the arms to prevent rotation the arms relative to the post.

2. In a back twist tool for cables a vertical post, substantially horizontal arms, means to pivotally connect one end of the arms to the post, means connected to the opposite ends of the arms to prevent rotation of the arms relative to the post, means to lock the arms in operative position and comple mentary blocks having cable guiding spiral parts of uniform pitch formed to conform with the lay of the preformed cable to impart a twisting motion to a cable forced therethrough.

3. In a back twist tool for cables, a vertical post, substantially horizontally disposed arms, means to pivotally connect one end of the arms to the post, means connected to the opposite ends of the arms to prevent rotation of the arms relative to the post, means to lock the arms in operative position, and means carried by the arms to impart a twist to a preformed cable forced thcrethrough.

4. In a back twist tool for cables, a vertical post, substantially horizontally disposed arms, means to pivotally connect one end of the arms to the post, means connected to the opposite ends of the arms to prevent rotation of the arms relative to the post, means to lock the arms in operative position, and means carried by the arms to impart a twist to a preformed cable forced therethrough, said twist imparting means having spiral guides that conform to the lay of the cable and anti-friction cable engaging elements in the guides.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EDWARD A. KLIEWER. 

